Kelowna, West Kelowna on BC government's list of 20 'high-growth, high-need' communities for housing

BC’s Ministry of Housing says priority communities have been selected to deliver more homes to.

In a news release, the ministry says the next 20 priority communities were selected because they “are in high-growth, high-need” regions.

That includes Kelowna and West Kelowna.

When the Housing Supply Act was introduced in 2023, it established housing targets for the first 10 priority municipalities, based on areas of greatest need, the news release says.

The province says they will work with the 20 new communities to ensure they meet their housing targets, laying the foundation for tens of thousands more homes to be built quicker.

Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing, said this group includes communities that are “doing well” on housing and some have been identified as needing to do more.

“We are addressing the housing crisis with our municipal partners so thousands more affordable homes can be built for people who need them,” said Kahlon.

“Our goal for the next 20 communities is to build on the work they are already doing, while they continue to implement the recent provincial legislative changes.”

Besides Kelowna and West Kelowna, the other priority municipalities identified to receive housing targets are:

• Central Saanich;

• Chilliwack;

• Colwood;

• Esquimalt;

• City of Langley;

• Maple Ridge;

• Mission;

• Nanaimo;

• New Westminster;

• North Cowichan;

• North Saanich;

• City of North Vancouver;

• Port Coquitlam;

• Prince George;

• Sidney;

• Surrey;

• View Royal; and

• White Rock

According to the news release, the province is expected to announce each municipalities housing targets this summer.

The release also says that municipalities area taking efforts to approve housing quicker through the new housing legislation announced in fall 2023 that is meant to encourage small-scale multi-unit housing, designated Transit-Oriented Areas, updated Official Community Plans and streamlined local-development approval processes and standardized housing designs.

The ministry points to how North Vancouver, Kelowna, New Westminster and the City of Langley are responding well to the new legislation.

The news release says the province will continue to support municipalities across BC to implement the changes and meet housing targets through funding like $51 million in grant-based funding to support activities or projects, such as updating existing zoning bylaws, housing needs reports and official community plans.